"LA JOLLA, CA—New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many people already have immune cells on “stand by” to fight the H5N1 virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.
. . .
LJI scientists and vaccine experts are keeping a close eye on the emerging virus. In their new study, LJI Professor Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., and LJI Research Assistant Professor Alba Grifoni, Ph.D., compared genetic sequences from H5N1 to genetic sequences from seasonal influenza viruses that already circulate in humans.
The LJI team uncovered important similarities between H5N1 and these common viruses, which allowed them to predict that many people already have “cross-reactive” T cells that are ready to target H5N1—should it ever mutate to cause widespread disease in humans.
“This makes us believe that a certain number of cross-reactive T cell responses may already be in place and may help decrease disease severity,” says Sette, who also serves as Co-Director of the LJI Center for Vaccine Innovation.
The researchers shared their findings in a preprint manuscript published on bioRxiv.
. . .
Sette and Grifoni investigated how well these influenza-fighting T cells might recognize and target the new H5N1 virus. The scientists used data from the LJI-led Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to identify exactly how human T cells attack key proteins, or epitopes, on seasonal flu viruses. They then developed a computational approach to figure out if the H5N1 virus has these same vulnerable epitopes.
The researchers found that many epitopes are shared, or “conserved” between H5N1 and seasonal influenza viruses. This means many people may already have T cells equipped to battle H5N1 infections.
“We can predict that—in the majority of cases—our T cells have memory responses and can provide pre-existing immunity to H5N1,” says Grifoni. “That’s good news.”
The researchers cannot say for sure whether these T cell responses can lessen disease severity; however, there is reason to believe cross-reactive T cells may be good fighters. In previous studies, LJI scientists have shown that cross-reactive T cells can lessen the severity of COVID-19 and even mpox.
Going forward, the researchers are interested in studying the strength of these T cell responses. They are also prepared to analyze immune cells from human samples, should H5N1 begin spreading between people."
Very good stuff. Between this and what I read in the other studies, this is the best news in a while, at least on the disease front. No reason to let our guard down, but solid information.
I am a survivalist so I went to the VA a week ago for a routine checkup and got both Flu and Covid shots. It was worth feeling a little off for a day or so afterwards. I have long given up any hope that the U.S. government has any interest in taking care of its people anymore. The current and future administrations are only interested in foreign policy and not domestic policy. We are own our own.
If getting an annual flu shot boosts my immunity enough to hold off the bird flu, good for me. Masking and shots will help me stay alive when so many others will get sick and maybe die. But then, that is what our world has become. Survival of the fittest, to include the smartest and I don't mean book smart either.
in the unlikely event you haven't seen this; I'm sure it's as well meaning and accurate as most announcements.
US Government Shares New Pandemic Plan
(Newsweek – Oct 24) U.S. government officials, together with counterparts in Canada and Mexico, have unveiled their latest plans to strengthen regional health security and pandemic preparedness. The initiative aims to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics and other serious health threats, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports.
The collaboration, called the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative, or NAPAHPI, has been described as a "flexible, scalable, cross-sectoral" platform which aims to strengthen regional capacities for disease control, built on lessons learned from COVID-19 and other healthy security events.
"Diseases know no borders and can spread rapidly in today's globalized world," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, Loyce Pace, said in a statement.
"The new NAPAHPI recognizes the interconnected nature of people and animal health and the effect it has on the prosperity and security of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Strengthening health security can only be achieved through continued collaboration."
The initiative is based on a One Health approach, a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary system of healthcare that recognized the interconnected nature of people, animals, plants, and our shared environment, and their respective contributions to human health.
"Cross-sectoral and regionally collaborative approaches like the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative are critical to preparing our three countries for future health challenges and protecting our collective health security," the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, said in a statement.
"Through a One Health approach, [the] USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] will leverage its deep expertise in promoting and protecting the health of plant commodities, safeguarding the health and welfare of food-producing animals, and preventing entry of or controlling plant and animal pathogens, as we join our federal and regional counterparts in this important effort."
To achieve these goals, the NAPAHPI will establish a Senior Coordinating Body as a key decision-making forum with members from across the health, agriculture, homeland security, and foreign affairs sectors from the three countries. The initiative will focus on the following priority issues:
Animal diseases with the potential to transmit to humans
Infectious diseases with the potential to become pandemics
Threats to regional health security
Critical infrastructure, medical supply chains, surveillance systems, public health measures and risk communication strategies
Risk assessments
Sustainable financing
"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there are myriad political, legal, regulatory, policy, preparedness, and response challenges that can be best addressed through a stronger, coordinated regional approach across multiple sectors when facing large-scale events," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. "NAPAHPI provides a renewed opportunity for North American collaboration to prevent and mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics and other events that pose a threat to regional health security."
Great article Jessica. What you speculate is happening is absolutely true.
T cells may offer some protection in an H5N1 ‘spillover’ scenario
New LJI research suggests many people already have T cells with the power to fight "highly pathogenic" avian influenza - September 16, 2024
https://www.lji.org/news-events/news/post/t-cells-may-offer-some-protection-in-an-h5n1-spillover-scenario/
Excerpts:
"LA JOLLA, CA—New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many people already have immune cells on “stand by” to fight the H5N1 virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.
. . .
LJI scientists and vaccine experts are keeping a close eye on the emerging virus. In their new study, LJI Professor Alessandro Sette, Dr.Biol.Sci., and LJI Research Assistant Professor Alba Grifoni, Ph.D., compared genetic sequences from H5N1 to genetic sequences from seasonal influenza viruses that already circulate in humans.
The LJI team uncovered important similarities between H5N1 and these common viruses, which allowed them to predict that many people already have “cross-reactive” T cells that are ready to target H5N1—should it ever mutate to cause widespread disease in humans.
“This makes us believe that a certain number of cross-reactive T cell responses may already be in place and may help decrease disease severity,” says Sette, who also serves as Co-Director of the LJI Center for Vaccine Innovation.
The researchers shared their findings in a preprint manuscript published on bioRxiv.
. . .
Sette and Grifoni investigated how well these influenza-fighting T cells might recognize and target the new H5N1 virus. The scientists used data from the LJI-led Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to identify exactly how human T cells attack key proteins, or epitopes, on seasonal flu viruses. They then developed a computational approach to figure out if the H5N1 virus has these same vulnerable epitopes.
The researchers found that many epitopes are shared, or “conserved” between H5N1 and seasonal influenza viruses. This means many people may already have T cells equipped to battle H5N1 infections.
“We can predict that—in the majority of cases—our T cells have memory responses and can provide pre-existing immunity to H5N1,” says Grifoni. “That’s good news.”
The researchers cannot say for sure whether these T cell responses can lessen disease severity; however, there is reason to believe cross-reactive T cells may be good fighters. In previous studies, LJI scientists have shown that cross-reactive T cells can lessen the severity of COVID-19 and even mpox.
Going forward, the researchers are interested in studying the strength of these T cell responses. They are also prepared to analyze immune cells from human samples, should H5N1 begin spreading between people."
Very good stuff. Between this and what I read in the other studies, this is the best news in a while, at least on the disease front. No reason to let our guard down, but solid information.
Best article ever, and that's saying something as you write a LOT!
Good to know. :)
I am a survivalist so I went to the VA a week ago for a routine checkup and got both Flu and Covid shots. It was worth feeling a little off for a day or so afterwards. I have long given up any hope that the U.S. government has any interest in taking care of its people anymore. The current and future administrations are only interested in foreign policy and not domestic policy. We are own our own.
If getting an annual flu shot boosts my immunity enough to hold off the bird flu, good for me. Masking and shots will help me stay alive when so many others will get sick and maybe die. But then, that is what our world has become. Survival of the fittest, to include the smartest and I don't mean book smart either.
Well said. You know, sometimes I feel guilty for feeling this way, but a lot of people don't want help.
in the unlikely event you haven't seen this; I'm sure it's as well meaning and accurate as most announcements.
US Government Shares New Pandemic Plan
(Newsweek – Oct 24) U.S. government officials, together with counterparts in Canada and Mexico, have unveiled their latest plans to strengthen regional health security and pandemic preparedness. The initiative aims to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics and other serious health threats, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports.
The collaboration, called the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative, or NAPAHPI, has been described as a "flexible, scalable, cross-sectoral" platform which aims to strengthen regional capacities for disease control, built on lessons learned from COVID-19 and other healthy security events.
"Diseases know no borders and can spread rapidly in today's globalized world," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs, Loyce Pace, said in a statement.
"The new NAPAHPI recognizes the interconnected nature of people and animal health and the effect it has on the prosperity and security of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Strengthening health security can only be achieved through continued collaboration."
The initiative is based on a One Health approach, a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary system of healthcare that recognized the interconnected nature of people, animals, plants, and our shared environment, and their respective contributions to human health.
"Cross-sectoral and regionally collaborative approaches like the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative are critical to preparing our three countries for future health challenges and protecting our collective health security," the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, said in a statement.
"Through a One Health approach, [the] USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] will leverage its deep expertise in promoting and protecting the health of plant commodities, safeguarding the health and welfare of food-producing animals, and preventing entry of or controlling plant and animal pathogens, as we join our federal and regional counterparts in this important effort."
To achieve these goals, the NAPAHPI will establish a Senior Coordinating Body as a key decision-making forum with members from across the health, agriculture, homeland security, and foreign affairs sectors from the three countries. The initiative will focus on the following priority issues:
Animal diseases with the potential to transmit to humans
Infectious diseases with the potential to become pandemics
Threats to regional health security
Critical infrastructure, medical supply chains, surveillance systems, public health measures and risk communication strategies
Risk assessments
Sustainable financing
"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there are myriad political, legal, regulatory, policy, preparedness, and response challenges that can be best addressed through a stronger, coordinated regional approach across multiple sectors when facing large-scale events," the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement. "NAPAHPI provides a renewed opportunity for North American collaboration to prevent and mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics and other events that pose a threat to regional health security."